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My fingers trace the lines of his chest, feeling the strength and warmth beneath his skin. He holds me as if I'm the most precious thing in his world, and in this moment, I believe it to be true.
I surrender to him and allow myself this vulnerability because with Marco it feels safe. This surrender is born out of trust, out of knowing that he will catch me if I fall. We are bound together by something stronger than promises—a force as natural and undeniable as gravity.
He lifts my chin with his fingers so my eyes meet his again. "Pia," he breathes out as if saying my name is a prayer he has long been waiting to utter. "With me, you will never lose yourself."
His vow wraps around me like a cloak, offering protection and an unspoken understanding that we have revealed our most authentic selves in this communion. The essence of our beings was laid bare in the most vulnerable exchange one can offer another.
I nod, leaning into his touch, my vow silent but ever-present in the space between us. In his eyes, I see the promise of tomorrow—a tomorrow neither of us need to face alone.
Our whispers and sighs fill the room as we settle into the calm after the storm. A sacred silence envelops us, punctuated only by the soft rustle of sheets as we shift, unwilling to break the connection of our entwined limbs.
The night presses on; time seems irrelevant. Marco strokes my hair, lulling me into a state somewhere between waking and dreams. I am caught in a liminal space where reality is sweeter than any fantasy I've dared to conjure.
I can feel his heartbeat against my cheek, a steady drum that syncopates with my own. This shared rhythm is a testament to what we have just experienced—the binding of two souls through the profound act of love.
His voice cuts through the quiet once more, a gentle murmur against the stillness of the night. "Sleep now," he urges. "I've got you."
I allow myself to doze, secure in his embrace. There is no place else I'd rather be than here with Marco—the man whose love is fierce enough to claim me yet tender enough to cherish every facet of who I am.
As I slip into dreams cradled by his warmth, I understand that this is not an end but a beginning—a new chapter in a story that we'll write together.
Our bodies may have stilled, but the connection they've forged is just the first stroke of the pen on a blank page, waiting to be filled with our journey.
Marco's breath is even now, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that sings me to sleep. As I drift off, I am conscious of a profound sense of security. In his arms, I've found a harbor against the tempests of life—a steadfast anchor in the form of the man who loves me without reservation or condition.
The night deepens around us, and the world outside our haven continues its restless spin, but time has come to a standstill within these four walls. We are suspended in this perfect moment—each of us truly and utterly captivated by another soul.
Marco's lips kiss my forehead, his affection spilling over me like warm honey. "Goodnight, Pia," he murmurs once more before succumbing to the pull of sleep himself.
I nestle closer, my body curving to fit his, as though molded from the beginning to become a part of him. In his embrace, I surrender my body and my fears and uncertainties. They dissipate like mist at dawn.
But even in sleep, my mind cannot fully release the knot that resides deep within me—the knowledge of what awaits when day breaks through the darkness. The clock's tick in the back of my mind grows louder with each passing second, a grim reminder that time is both my enemy and my ally.
In these hours, it shields us from reality and holds back the future with its uncertainties and dangers. Yet it also slips through my fingers like grains of sand, bringing me closer to the moment I must confront what comes next.
The knowledge that Gerald's safety hangs by a thread interlaces my dreams with shadows. I see him in flashes—a smile, a frown, a laugh as familiar as my own heartbeat. Behind every image of him looms Marco's unspoken threat—a blade poised to sever our bond as siblings.
I cannot—I will not—let that happen.
As dawn begins to paint the sky in strokes of pink and orange, I stir from the cocoon of Marco's arms. I watch him sleep, peaceful and unaware of the struggle inside me. His chest rises and falls, and for one irrational moment, I wish I could freeze time right here.
But wishes are for children and fairy tales. I am neither.
Gently extricating myself from his embrace, I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb the delicate balance of the night. The floor is cool beneath my feet, a stark contrast to the warmth of our bed—the sanctuary we built with whispered words and entwined souls.
I stand there for a moment, watching Marco sleep. I memorize his features: the gentle fan of his eyelashes casting shadows on his cheeks, the way his hair falls haphazardly across his forehead, and the soft parting of his lips as he breathes. This image of him, vulnerable and serene, is one I want to carry with me into the coming storm.
With a heart heavy with love and dread, I dress quietly in the dim light filtering through the curtains. Each movement feels like a betrayal, a step away from him and towards an uncertain future—a future in which my brother's and mother's lives hang precariously in the balance.
My hands are steady as I gather my few belongings. There isn't much—I hadn't planned to be here. But then again, I hadn't planned on Gerald and Jon Marc's unfathomable plans.
I pause at the sliding glass door, taking one last look at Marco. He's still sleeping soundly, oblivious to my departure. It's better this way; besides, what good is a goodbye when I will carry him wherever I go?
Silently, I glide through a narrow gap between the stucco wall and the glass barrier, my body pressed against the rough bark of a tall evergreen bush. Using it as my shield, I carefully climb down the side of the house, each movement calculated to avoid detection from any onlookers. With a soft thud, I land soundlessly on the cool grass below. Taking a moment to smooth out my disheveled top and bottoms, I glance up at the house. "Stay safe, Marco," I whisper before slipping around the corner to a spot I had previously scouted where the garbage was stored and hidden.
My chest heaving and adrenaline coursing through my veins, I take a deep breath and quickly maneuver around the cans scattered in my path. After peeking to the other side, I swiftly slide under the prickly bushes, careful not to snag my clothes. As I approach the wire fence, I spot a section that has been kicked down before, likely by someone else trying to sneak into this forbidden territory. With a well-aimed kick of my own, I quickly push it aside and slip through, my heart racing with excitement at the thought of what lies ahead.
With a quick glance to ensure my safety, I survey the terrain for a path that will provide cover without alerting potential enemies. My eyes land on a thick line of trees, their leaves dancing in the cool ocean breeze. Taking advantage of their rustling sounds, I dart towards them, my footsteps light and swift. Saltwater fills my nostrils as I rush past two more trees, putting even more distance between myself and the imposing wall surrounding the estate. Finally reaching the neighboring property, I move carefully along its perimeter, mindful of any cameras watching my every move.
